Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’, particularly selected for its large berry size, high vigor, long trusses, and flavor of the fruit, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal Denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’ originated from a controlled cross between the female parent ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,801) and the proprietary male parent ‘575AC159’ (unpatented). Progeny plants from this cross, including ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’, were asexually propagated via stolons in Shasta County, Calif. in March 2015. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’ was later specifically identified and selected in Ventura County, Calif. in October 2015.

‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and has undergone testing at test plots in Ventura County, Calif. for four years (2016 to 2020). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’ was particularly selected for its large berry size, high vigor, long trusses, and flavor of the fruit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Unless otherwise indicated, the photographs are of plants that are five months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the upper surface (top row) and lower surface (bottom row) of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’.

FIG. 4 illustrates the lower surface (top) and upper surface (bottom) of leaves of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’.

FIG. 5 illustrates a whole plant of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Ventura County, Calif. from 2016 to 2020. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’ was taken from plants that were five months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.             32,801).         -   Male parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘575AC159’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—19.7 cm.         -   Diameter.—26.1 cm.         -   Height/width ratio.—0.75.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—5.         -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright.         -   Density of foliage.—Dense.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Stolon:     -   -   Diameter at bract.—3.17 mm.         -   Overall color.—RHS 144C (Strong yellow green).         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Medium.         -   Anthocyanin color (when present).—RHS 58A (Moderate purplish             red).         -   Density of pubescence.—Sparse. -   Fruiting truss:     -   -   Length (from crown to base of terminal flower or             fruit).—22.5 cm.         -   Diameter (at base).—0.47 cm.         -   Number of berries per fruiting truss.—4.8.         -   Attitude at first picking.—Semi-erect.         -   Color (at base of truss).—RHS 144C (Strong yellow green). -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of leaf upper surface.—RHS NN137 (Greyish olive             green).         -   Color of leaf lower surface.—RHS 147D (Moderate yellow             green).         -   Blistering.—Medium.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Variegation.—Present.         -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: 8.05 cm. Width: 8.4 cm.             Length/width ratio: 0.96. Number of teeth per terminal             leaflet: 23. Overall shape: Orbicular. Shape of base:             Obtuse. Shape of apex: Rounded. Margin: Serrate to crenate.             Margin profile: Revolute. Shape in cross section: Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 16.4 cm. Diameter: 3.6 mm. Overall color:             RHS 144C (Strong yellow green). Pubescence: Absent or very             sparse. Attitude of hairs: Horizontal. Bract frequency             (number present on each petiole): 2.         -   Petiolule.—Length: 13.5 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm. Color: RHS             144C (Strong yellowish green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 35.1 mm. Width: 24.0 mm. Stipule color: RHS             141 (Strong yellow green). Anthocyanin coloration: Absent or             very weak. Pubescence: Dense. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Number of flowers per plant.—8.         -   Position of inflorescence in relation to foliage.—Above             foliage.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Horizontal.         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 20.1 mm. Arrangement of petals:             Overlapping. Size of calyx in relation to corolla: Larger.             Stamen: Present. Receptacle color: RHS 9A (Vivid yellow).             Anther color: RHS N167A (Brownish orange).         -   Petal.—Length: 9.9 mm. Width: 11.1 mm. Length/width ratio:             0.89. Number of petals per flower: 6. Color of upper             surface: RHS 155C (Greenish white). Color of lower surface:             RHS 155C (Greenish white). Overall shape: Orbicular. Shape             of apex: Rounded. Margin: Entire. Shape of base:             Concavo-convex.         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 24.7 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length: 8.7 mm. Width: 5.4 mm. Number of sepals per             flower: 11. Overall shape: Elliptical. Shape of apex:             Acuminate. Margin: Entire.         -   Flowering.—Flowering interval: July to December. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit size.—Length: 55.3 mm. Width: 48.5 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.14.         -   Fruit hollow.—Length: 28.3 mm. Width: 14.2 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.99.         -   Shape.—Cordate.         -   Difference in shape of terminal and other fruits.—Moderate.         -   Fruit color.—RHS 34A (Vivid reddish orange).         -   Evenness of color.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Width of band without achenes.—Absent or very narrow.         -   Position of achenes.—Level with surface.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Inserted.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Upwards.         -   Diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit.—Slightly             smaller.         -   Adherence of calyx.—Strong.         -   Firmness.—Firm.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 35B (Moderate reddish             orange).         -   Evenness of flesh color.—Slightly uneven.         -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.         -   Color of core.—RHS 37C (Moderate yellowish pink).         -   Sweetness/soluble solids (in ° brix).—8.4.         -   Titratable acidity (% as citric acid).—0.69%.         -   Individual fruit weight.—32.4 g/fruit.         -   Achenes.—Number of achenes per fruit: 221. Weight: 0.0008             g/achene. Color of upper (sunward) side: RHS N34 (Moderate             red). Color of lower (shaded) side: RHS 144A (Strong yellow             green).         -   Fruiting.—Harvest interval: October to December. Type of             bearing: Fully remontant. Productivity: 31,202 kg to 48,921             kg of fruit per hectare per season from five-month-old             plants when grown in Ventura County, Calif. -   Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases:     -   -   Two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae).—Moderately             resistant.         -   Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Anthracnose crown rot (colletotrichum acutatum).—Moderately             susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND REFERENCE VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’ differs from the female parent and reference variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,801) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’ has medium stolon anthocyanin coloration, absent or very weak stipule anthocyanin coloration, inserted position of calyx attachment on fruit, horizontal attitude of pedicel hairs, and leaf variegation is present, whereas ‘DrisStrawSixtyNine’ has absent or very weak stolon anthocyanin coloration, medium stipule anthocyanin coloration, raised position of calyx attachment on fruit, upwards attitude of pedicel hairs, and leaf variegation is absent.

‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’ differs from the male parent proprietary strawberry plant ‘575AC159’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’ has a higher yield potential and larger fruit size than ‘575AC159’, as well as improved flavor.

‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,506) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’ has medium stolon anthocyanin coloration, a moderate difference in the shape of terminal and other fruits, a slightly smaller calyx in relation to the diameter of fruit, horizontal attitude of pedicel hairs, and leaf variegation is present, whereas ‘DrisStrawTwentyOne’ has strong stolon anthocyanin coloration, the difference in shape of terminal and other fruits is none or very slight, has a much larger calyx in relation to the diameter of its fruit, upwards attitude of pedicel hairs, and leaf variegation is absent. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawNinetyFour’ as shown and described herein. 